Germany
Ruth
I am going to talk about the time I have spent in Germany and also in France. I did a degree in French and German and as part of my degree it was compulsory to spend one year abroad. I decided to go to Germany because my German was not as good as my French. When I got to Germany, I found that people were really hospitable. People often invited me out and they invited me to their houses and they would often take me out to different places and sometimes we would go to cafes and have coffee and cake.
Some of my German friends used to think that British people have coffee - sorry - have tea and cake and scones at 4 o'clock every day. I think that's really funny, because I don't know anybody in Britain who has tea and scones and cake at 4 o'clock every day.
One day when I was in Germany I went for a walk. I lived in a village and I went just for a wander about really and I found myself in France and I was really surprised because I didn't know I was living quite so close the border.
And that year, really, I really fell in love with France and Germany. I love croissants and I've got some really good friends in France and I also have a pen friend. I think I also like the French weather because it seems to be so much warmer and sunnier than the weather in Britain, so I really like that too.
degree
I did a degree in French and German, and I went to Germany
as part of that.
Your 'degree' is the area of study that you specialize in at university. Notice the following:
- His degrees were in English and mathematics.
- How many years will it take to finish your degree?
compulsory
As part of my degree, it was compulsory to spend one year
abroad.
If something is 'compulsory' it is 'mandatory' or you must do it because it is an obligation. Notice the following:
- We all have to go to a compulsory meeting today after
work.
- This class is compulsory, but I think I would want to
take it anyway.
hospitable
When I got to Germany, I found that people were really
hospitable.
A 'hospitable' person is very warm and welcoming. He wants to make you feel comfortable and at home. Notice the following:
- Thank you for being so hospitable during my time here.
- The employees at our bed an breakfast are extremely
hospitable and want to do everything they can to make your
stay more comfortable.
wander
I lived in a village and I just went for a wander about and
I found myself in France.
When you 'wander about' it means that you walk around without any specific destination. Notice the following:
- Don't wander too far or you might get lost.
- You could spend hours wandering around this city.
pen friend
I've got some really good friends in France and Germany,
and I also have a pen friend.
A 'pen friend' is a person you communicate with through writing. It the past it was communication through letters or postcards, but now it can be through email. Many times a 'pen friend' can be someone that you have never actually met in person, but only know through writing. Notice the following:
- I'm sorry. I'm not a very good pen friend because I'm
too lazy to go to the post office.
- My cousin in Norway has been my pen friend for almost
ten years now.
Vocabulary Quiz
wander • pen
Mitchell talks about how Hawaii is different than the rest of the United States.
